Grand Bluff Cemetery
GPS Coordinates: 321650N, 0941943WSurveyed by Don Austin 1979
Additional info added by Marylee W. Knight 2005
Location: In the old Grand Bluff Community, approximately 1/4 mile south of the point where FM 1794 crosses the Sabine River.
Number of graves: 90-120
Number of identifiable graves: 5
Number of non-identifiable graves: 5
Earliest known grave: 1838
Latest known grave: 1906 (One burial added in 2000)
Age: Percentage range: 46% adults, 54% infants and/or children
Race count: Predominantly white; however, several slaves are known to be buried here.
Located in relatively dense woodland about 400 yards south of FM 1794, as it approaches the river. This would have been near the center of the old Grand Bluff Community, now a ghost town for the most part, which originally occupies the west bank of the river. Originally known as "Brewster's Bluff", this spot was settled very early and became a major stopover on the Shreveport-to-Douglass Road.
The heart of the town seems to have been between the present-day roadside park and the river bridge along FM 1794, which very nearly approximates the course of the old Shreveport-to-Douglass Road. There was a ferry in operation here earlier than 1840, but it seems that the town began to decline rapidly during the late 1800's due to the completion of the first railroad through the county.
Being so near a major road, the cemetery was often used by transient families, as early as the 1830's, this helps explain why there is a high percentage of children buried here.
It is evident that the cemetery has not been attended to in many, many years because there are a number of large trees growing among the graves and brush piles scattered here and there. (NOTE: Following the burial of Hollis R. Peavy in 2000, part of the cemetery was cleared and fenced and is now being well maintained.)
It is very hard to tell just how large the cemetery was. According to an earlier visitor, many years ago there were "at least 100 graves marked only with a brick or a piece of field stone or a stake." When visited by this writer in 1979, there were only about 40 graves that were marked in some fashion, in addition to the five that were identifiable. Almost all of the non-identifiable graves were marked with handmade brick, probably made by slaves and a few had mussel shells laying on them, probably brought there from the river. Surprisingly, many of these graves are still well defined.
The two Sterrett graves are enclosed by a Gilded-Age type of wrought-iron fence, very eloquently styled and still quite sturdy, but very rusty. Dr. Vawter is buried in a concrete and brick vault with the identification inscribed in the cement on top. Vawter and Sterrett were prominent physicians of Grand Bluff during its days of glory and Dr. Vawter is known for owning the first permanent home built in Carthage.
Adjacent to the Vawter tomb is a large rectangular mound of handmade brick. This is believed to be the tomb of David and Lucinda Vawter, parents of Dr. David M. Vawter. Most likely Dr. Vawter's wife is buried between the two structures.
The Vawters were in charge of the ferry operation at Grand Bluff for many years and, most likely, there are several other members of this family, as well as those listed here, who are buried in the cemetery.
Identifiable graves:
Gray, Mary C. - wife of Uriah Gray (maiden name Steel)
Died Mar 5, 1881 - age 66 years
Peavy, Hollis R.
Born Mar 19, 1933 - Died Jun 14, 2000
Pugh, William N.
Born 1830 - Died 1898
Sterrett, Little Polly - Daughter of Dr. Major Dowell Sterrett and Sarah Julia Vawter
Born Dec 1, 1874 - Died Feb 2, 1881 (diphtheria)
Sterrett, Sarah Julia - Daughter of Dr. Major Dowell Sterrett and Sarah Julia Vawter
Born Oct 4, 1885 - Died Dec 4, 1885
(NOTE: This infant was after the Sterrett family had moved a few miles west to the present-day Harris Chapel Community. Dr. Sterrett rode horseback, cradling his dead daughter in his arms, back to Grand Bluff Cemetery to bury her beside her sister Polly. Sarah Julia was a twin to Carrie Bell Sterrett who lived to maturity.)
Vawter, Dr. David M.
Born Jan 17, 1833 - Died 1906
(NOTE: David M. was the son of David Vawter and Lucinda Glover. He married Mrs. Nancy Weir and their daughter Martha Lucinda Vawter married John W. Cooke, President of the First National Bank of Carthage TX.)
Non-identifiable graves
Barber, John - Husband of Catherine
Born ca 1807 in GA - Died before the end of the Civil War in 1865
Barber, Catherine - wife of John Barber
Born ca 1815 in GA - Died ca 1861
(NOTE: Her son Cullen Andrew Barber left from her funeral at Grand Bluff Cemetery and walked to the nearest Confederate camp and joined the TX Cavalry in which he served for the four years of the war.)
Blackmon, Newton - son of T. & S.A. Blackmon
Born Jul 9, 1875 - Died Jun 1, 1878
Blackmon, Ernie P. - son of T. & S.A. Blackmon
Born Jun 1, 1878 - Died Sep 17, 1878
Broyles, Claude - son of W.H. & C.A. Broyles
Born Mar 12, 1889 - Died Oct 23, 1891
Davidson, Julia
Hoyle, Mary Frances
Died about 1838 as a small child
Vawter, David
Born Jan 21, 1800 - Died Jul 13, 1845
Vawter, Amanda Lucinda - wife of David Vawter (maiden name Glover)
Born Jul 8, 1805 - Died Dec 20, 1857
(NOTE: Obtained the first ferry license issued after Panola County was created in 1846. She was born in KY and was the daughter of Thomas J. Glover and Nancy West.)
Watts, Lima - daughter of T.L. & Lula Watts
Born Aug 25, 1879 - Died Nov 5, 1883